There’s just something about the natural world that is absolutely awe-inspiring, and getting out and about is the perfect way to soothe the soul and switch off for a while. Gardens are a wonderful way of bringing the living world to your doorstep, but not everyone has the space or time to create a beautiful garden for themselves. Luckily, there are plenty of stunning botanical gardens all over the world to visit.
So, if you’re a fan of online casino games with a nature theme, or you just love all things plants and gardening, come with us as we take a look at the botanical gardens from around the world that should be on your (eventual) must-visit list.
Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Jardim Botânico is a 345-acre garden found in Rio de Janeiro. This impressive botanical garden is home to an astonishing 6,000-plus plant species, and is also one of the most essential spots for Brazilian botanical research.
There are a heap of great things to look out for in this garden, from indigenous plant species to the Japanese garden, a bromeliad and orchid greenhouse, and a tranquil sensory garden. There are also a couple of statues, mesmerizing waterfalls and other delights to discover. The Avenue of Royal Palms is definitely a must-see!
The garden is the perfect spot for birders too, with more than 140 species of our avian feathered friends to be observed, including the super-rare white-necked hawk. Now, if that isn’t enough to tempt you, the garden also has wonderful views of Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado Mountain.
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire, Wales
At almost 570 acres, this botanical garden’s size belies the small country in which it’s found! The main priority at the National Botanic Garden of Wales is botanical research and conservation, but it’s stunning to visit too.
Its single-span great glasshouse – designed by Foster + Partners – is the biggest in the world at 360ft long and nearly 100ft wide. This is the place where you’ll find Mediterranean-climate plant species from all over the world, such as South Africa, Chile, Australia and (no surprises, here) the Mediterranean.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa
Set on the eastern slopes of world-renowned Table Mountain is a 90-acre botanical garden that’s quite likely the most picturesque in the world. This is one of the few of such gardens that only has indigenous plants. You’ll find a variety of sections on your walk, including a medicinal garden, beautiful fields of proteas (also known as sugarbushes) and much more.
There’s also a 462ft-long steel and wooden walkway that winds through the treetops, which gives you a completely different perspective of the garden. If that isn’t enough, you can also enjoy evening music concerts, indoor and outdoor art exhibitions, a permanent sculpture garden and a variety of world-class restaurants.
Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden, Tromsø, Norway
A botanical garden in the Arctic Circle? Surely not! Well, you’d better believe it, as Norway is home to Tromsø Arktisk-Alpine Botaniske Hage, the world’s most northerly botanical garden, which is 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Thanks to its location, you can experience the garden during the summer months in almost 24 hours of full daylight.
The plants that you can expect to spot are all from the Northern Hemisphere, so you’ll get to grips with rare Arctic and Alpine plants that you’d almost never be able to venture out and spot, growing wild in the hardened landscape. The bloom of the Arctic poppies is particularly impressive. The garden is only open from May to October every year, so you’d need to factor that into any plans to visit it.
Singapore Botanic Garden, Singapore
When you think of Singapore, a serene botanical garden probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind. Believe it or not, this island city-state is actually home to one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. The Singapore Botanic Gardens boasts some of the lushest landscape out there, and it truly is an oasis amid the cityscape (it’s located five minutes away from Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping street.)
The 200-acre gardens are broken into four: There’s the historic section, the “tourist” section, a “learning forest” and an educational section. Within the gardens, you’ll walk through vibrant, tropical rainforests, and enjoy the creatures in Swan Lake. The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the collection of orchids – the largest in the world. With more than 60,000 true orchids and some hybrids on display, it’s a stunning visual experience.
The Conservatory & Botanical Garden, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Sometimes botanical gardens crop up in the unlikeliest of places. If you’re looking for something a little different, then the Conservatory & Botanical Garden at the Bellagio in Las Vegas should pique your interest. If you’ve been playing casino table games or online slots and need a break, then there’s nothing better!
Every season, the 14,000sq ft botanical garden is transformed to suit the landscape. The sights, sounds, colors and smells will absolutely engulf you, and give you the calming energy that you need to play casino games like online poker (or, of course, visit the felt in person, if you prefer.)
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
Kew Gardens (as it’s known) is probably the most famous botanical garden in the world. Found in southwest London and dating back to the early 18th century, Kew has the largest and most diverse collection of plants in the entire world, with more than 30,000 kinds found within the 300-acre estate.
While you explore, you can enjoy the Victorian Palm House, a treetop walkway, a massive, multisensory “hive” and much more. It’s the perfect setting for a picnic and day out. Kew Gardens also has events running throughout the year, such as the winter lantern trails, an exceptional light show and even “music picnics” in the summer.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka
These 147-acre gardens in Kandy (in the Central Province of Sri Lanka) are fit for royalty – literally. They used to be for the sole use of the Kandyan royalty, but are now open to the public. Found close to Sri Lanka’s longest river, the Mahaweli, they are home to more than 4,000 species of plants, including spices, medicinal herbs and orchids. The biggest highlights are the 130ft-high Burmese bamboo tree, a massive Javan fig tree and the avenue of royal palms.
If you’re lucky, you might also get to see some native monkeys and fruit bats playing in the gardens, too!
Enjoy all that’s on offer at BetMGM
At online casino BetMGM, we know that everything in life is best when it’s balanced, and that’s why it’s always a good idea to take a break from live casino online games and other types of casino games to get out into nature to refresh your mind. If you’re interested in visiting any of the botanical gardens we’ve mentioned, we recommend checking their opening times and any current visiting restrictions before firming up your plans.
In the meantime, why not register with BetMGM and enjoy a variety of online casino games, including live dealer games, slots, table games and much more?
